Method of and apparatus for constructing artificial dentures



METHOD OF' AND APPARATUS FOR CONSTRUCTING ARTIFICIAL DENTURES Filed May 5, 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet l vJulym 1931.

E. D. RALPH 1,815,956 v METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR CONSTRUCTING ARTIFICIAL DENTURES Filed May 5, 1927 6 SheetS-Sheecv 2 6.() E i INVENTOR. //m

July 28, 1931.

E. D. RALPH' METHOD OF AND jAPPARATUS FOR CONSTRUCTING ARTIFICIAL DENTRES Filed May 5, 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 w f :lai/ENTOR. i

A TTORNEYS.

July 28, 1931. E. D. RALPH 1,815,956

METHOD 0F AND APPARATUS FOR CONSTRUCTING ARTIFICIAL DENTURES l Filed May 5, 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 l EzVENTO-R. Th MW@ A TTORNEY;

July 2s, 1331.

E. D. RALPH METHOD 0F AND APPARATUS FOR CONSTRUCTING ARTIFICIAL DENTURES Filed May 5, 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 .y Liq-i5 Tir! 7 1^ Mmm/z.

4W ATTORNEYS.

July 28, 1931. E. D. RALPH 1,815,956

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR CONSTRUCTING ARTIFICIAL DENTURES Filed May 5. 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Z INVEIYTOR.

Patented July 2e, 1931 UNITED s'rivrrss PATENT' oFF-ica 5 EDWARD D. n.ALr1,1or nimma, NEW trom:

Application led Hay 5,

My invention relates toa method of constructing artificial'dentures, and further relates to an apparatus that is particularl adapted for use in carrying out the metho One of the objects of the invention-.is to provide. a method of the character indicated which may be practiced easily and expeditiously, and which ensures the dentures being accurately oriented -so as to function properly in the mouth of the patient during mastication. l

Another object of the invention is to provide an articulator which is capable of being easily adjusted to accurately reproduce the various masticatory movements of the mandible of the patient. l

The several features of the invention,

A whereby these and other objects may be attained, will be clearly understood from the following description l and accompanying drawings, in which: j Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view,

partly in elevation, of my improved articulator in its preferred Iorm;

Figs. 2 and 3 are side and front views of the articulator Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1; j

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the articulator with certain parts broken away;

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional elevation taken on the line 6-6 0f Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional elevation taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 5;

Fig.. 8 is a rear View of the apparatus;

Fig. 9 is a view corresponding to Fig. 6 of a modified form of a component part of the device;

Fig. 10 isa detail view infperspective of a part of the construction illustrated'fin Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 isa view corresponding to'FigQQ of another modified forin;

Fig. 12 is a side elevation, partly in sec- 45 tion,.of a part of the device illustrated in Fig.

the line 134-13 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 14 is va detail sectional view takenon the. line 14-14 of Fig. 1

Fig. 13 'is a sectional elevation taken on- 1927.' Serial No. 189,135.

Fig. 15 is a detail sectional View taken on the line 15-15 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 16 is avdetail view in perspective of a supporting bracket;

'Fig. 17 is a view in perspective of a part of the oondyle axis guide means;

Fi 18 is a view corresponding to Fig. 1 but s owing another form of apparatus;

Fig. 19 is a plan view of the construction illustrated in Fig. 18; and

Fig. 20 is a sectional detail side elevation og a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. l

My improved articulator in its preferred form is provided with a maxillary h older 2, and a mandible holder 4. These holders are dish-shaped, each having a flat bottom and an outwardly Haring -lange or rim 6. The holder 2 is secured on the under side of a bracket arm or support 8, and the holder 4 is `secured on the top side of a bracket arm or support 10. The supports 8 and 10 are provided with forwardly projecting handles 9 and 11, respectively. The holder 4 is secured to the support 10 by means of screws 12, and the holder 2 may be similarly secured to the support 8. These two supports 8 and l10 are mounted, as hereinafter described, on

a.v standard 14 which projects upwardly from the central rear portion of a base 16. The

'sup-port'8 is provided with rearwardly ex# tending arms which terminate in split collars 18, the two-sections of each collar being secured together by screws 20. The collars 18 surround andare pivotally mounted on reduced'outer portions of annular bearing members 22 which project forwardly from the upper end of the standard 14. The support 8 rests in horizontal position on shoulders 23 formed on the bearing members 22. Theizffsupgi'iirt 8 is locked in horizontal position vby'means of a suitable latching device comprising an outwardly spring-pressed pin- 24 (Figs. 5 and 15).mounted in a socket in the upper end of the standard 14 with its end projecting into a socket or notch26 in the inner side of one of the split collars 18.

The latch pin 24 isadapted to be retracted to permit the support-8 to be swung upwardly, by means of a knob 28 projecting upwardly through a slot 30 in the standard 14, and

when thus retracted may be held in retracted position by turning the knobi'nto a laterally l?. held from axial movement on the sleeve 38 by ",'lhe support 10 for extending notch 32 which forms an extension oftheslot 30.- Y

the mandible holder has avertically extending portion 34 which l termlnates in upwardly projecting ears 36 that are pivotally mounted on a tubular means of a collar 40 secured 'on the sleeve and interposed between the ears 36. The sleeve 38 is supported .by means of rods 42 inserted in the ends thereof and which extend through bearing collars 44 that are centrally secured to and yieldingly supported by spiral springs v46 mounted in forwardly extending annular portions of"4 bracket members 48. The

bracket members 48 are secured by screws 50 to a plate or bar 52 which is secured by screwsv54 to the rear'sid'e of the upper end ofthe standardll 14. The bracket members 48 are adapted to be adjusted longitudinally of thebar. To provide for this, each of said members is provided with a rearwardly extending lug 56 which extends into an elongated slot 58 in the bar 52, the member being adapted to be heldin adjusted position by tightening the clamping screw 50.

Y The rods 42 are pressed outwardly in the tubular member or sleeve 38 by meansof a coil spring 60interposed between their inner ends. These rods are held in adjusted positions by means'of screws 62 which are screwthreaded through apertures in the ends of the sleeve 38 and have-reduced endsthat are received in elongated key-way slots 64 in the rods.` The outer'ends of the rods 42 extendv through clearance openings in disks 66- mounted inthe bracket members 48. Each 'disk'66 is clamped at its edge against a shoulder on the inner wall of the -associated bracket member 48 by an annular clamping nut 68 screw-threaded into the outer face of the bracket member. Each clamping nut 68 is provided with a finger-piece 70 by means of which the nut may be loosened to permit the associated disk66 to be turned to change its angular position. l

lThe vclearance opening above referred 4to in each disk 66 has zstraight wall72 against which the associate 'rbd 42 is adapted to bear.

Each disk 66'is provided with an outwardly turned lip 74 through which is screw-threaded an abutment screw 76 thatis' arranged radially of the rod42 when the latter is in normal position and is adapted to be posi,- tioned with its inner end arranged adjacent the rod. For lreasons 'hereinafterla described the disksl 66 are termed condyle path guides.

f y .With this construction it will be apparent that the support 10"for the mandible vholder may be Vfreely turned 'about the axls of the rods -42,; that 4said support may be swung laterally against the tension of the spiral springs 46; and also that the support may be moved bodily outwardly against the tension of said springs. The springs 46 tend to maintain the rods 42 in` central position against the guide walls 72'of the disks 66. With each machine there isfurmsheda number of shim plates 78 ofl different thlckness, (Figs. 2 and 17) which are adapted to be snapped over the walls 72. The lower man-- dible support 10 is adapted to be guided during lateral bodily movement thereof by means of horizontal. guiding members 80 (F1 s. 1, 4 and 14), which have thelr rear en secured -by screws 82 on a suitable bracket secured to the standard 14. These members 80 of the guiding members80. With this construction it. will be apparent that during the lateral bodily movements of the lower suport 10, the latter will be yieldingly guided Ey the engagement of the U-shaped spring 86 with the inclined edges 'of the guidmg members 80. The guiding members 80 are adapted to be pivotally adjusted about the screws 82 toward and from each other upon loosening the screws, so as to vary the extent of the lateral bodily movement of the support 10.

An inverted dish-shaped washer 87 surrounds the screw 84 and its lower edge engages the top surfaces of the guide plates 80 so as to hold the support sleeve 38 fromturnlng. l

The pivotal axis of the lower or mandible support 10 is adapted to be adjusted forward= ly against the tension of the spiral springs 46 bymeans of a set screw 88 screwthreaded through an aperture in the upper end of the 10 is supported by means of a" plunger 94l provided with a reduced shank portion that,

is received in an aperture 96 in the support. 7

The plunger 94 is pressed downwardly by means of a suitable leaf spring 98 having its buter end secured to the outer end of the bracket member, the downward movement of -the 'plunger being limited by means of a pin 100 that extends through a slot in the shank of the lplunger and has its ends secured to ably hinged on a pin 104 that extends longitudinally of the machine and is supported on a bracket 106, secured to the base 16 of the machine. The su portin leaves 102 are adapted to be adjusted a out.the pin 104y and held in adjusted position by means o clamping screws 107 which extend through arcuate slots 108 in upwardly projecting arms 110 on the outer ends ofthe leaves, and are screw-threaded into the ends of a bracket arm 111' on-the bracket member 106 (Fig. 16). A suitable scale 1-12 is provided on'each of the slotted arms 110 so as to determine the angular po ition of the supporting leaves 102, and similar'scales`113 are placed on the outer face of the'il annular bracket members 48 for determining the angular positions of the guide walls 72 of the disks 66. S

vTo assist in guiding the mandible support 10, a horizontal pin 114 of spring metal vis secured to the standard 14 and extends through a suitable guide slot116 in the vertical portion 34 of the 'bracket member.

A suitable centering gauge 118 is pivotally v mounted on the top side of the support 10 in proximity to the mandible holder 4, which when in use may be swung vertically into position and when not in use may be swung down upon the'bracket, the purpose of this gauge being hereinafter described.

The holders 2 and 4'for the maxillary and mandible dentures are each provided with a circular block 120 which is detachably secured on the bottom of the holder by means of a screw 122 which extends through an aperture in the associated 'support and is screw-threaded into an aperture in the block. The block 120 is held from turning by means of a pin 124 which is received in an aperture in the block. A number of shim plates 126 of diiferentthicknesses are furnished with each machinewhich are adapted to be placed in the bottom of theholders 2 and 4 so as to,

vary the depth thereof.

In carrying out my improved method of constructlng artificial dentures, in addition to the articulator above described, I also preferably employ the apparatus described and claimed in my pending application, Ser. No. 171,225, filed February 26, 1927. This latter apparatus which is known by the trademark name Spee-o-graph is for the purpose of determining and forming the curve of spee in both the upper and lower bite waxes. Also a mark is placed on the front of the bite waxes to indicate the sagittal plane thereof while the waxes are in the mouth of the patient.

After the curve of spee has been formed the tv vo bite wax blocks are replaced in the mouth of the patient. The fork of the face bow is secured in the upper bite wax and the lower bite wax is secured to the upper bite wax lby spot fusing in the usual manner. The two bite waxes are then removed from the mouth by means of the face bow which maintains them in proper position with relation to the axis of the condyle rods of the face bow. Plaster casts conforming to the gums of the patient are then placed in the cavities of the two bite waxes, and the bite waxes and plaster casts are transferred to the articulator. In positioning the bite waxes and plaster casts in the articulator, the condyle rods of the face bow are applied to the ends of the rods 42. The vface bow described `and claimed in said pending application is provided with a'spirit level which indicates to the operator the proper vertical position to place the bite waxes in the articulator between the maxillary and mandible holders 2 and 4, so that the bite waxes assume the same position in the arv dyle rods 42 as they did in the mouth of the patient with respect to the axis of his condyles. Also, by ineansof the mark on the bite waxes that indicates the sagittal plane thereof, and the centering gauge 118, the bite waxes are properly centered in respect to the sagittal plane ot' the articulator. While it is preferable ,to employ the apparatus of said pending application in practicing the present method, it will be apparent that the curve of spee may be formed and the` bite waxes positioned in the articulator with the use of other means.

The roper positioning of the bite waxes as above escribed' is permitted in my improved articulator by the peculiar mounting of the condyle rods 42. The set screws 62 are loosened so as to permit axial movement of the rods during the positioning of the bite waxes in respect to the sagittal plane. After the bite waxes are positioned the set screws 62 are tightened so as tohold the condyle rods in their adjusted positions. v The bite waxes and plaster casts are held in the articulator by means of soft plaster in which the projecting that support the condyle path guides 66 are adjusted so that the outer faces of the guides are substantially one-half inch from the ends of the condyle rods 42. This positioning of 4the condyle plane guides compensates for the amount of tissue overlying or intervening beltween the condyle head centers of the patient and the points on the face of the patient from which the reading has been taken on thev face bow. After the plaster beds 134 have hardened, the facevbow is -removed from the articulator, the holding forks .being 'with- .drawn from the upper blte wax, and the ends of the face bow being removed from the ends of the condyle rods 42.

When the bite wax blocks have thus been applied to the articulator the teeth may 'be inserted. If desired, the teeth may be inserted directly in the bite wax blocks by cutting out suficient area to receive each individual tooth in the usual manner. The more general practice, however, would be to remove one bite wax block and build up the plate model of the form and shape desired, and secure the teeth in their proper position in the usual manner.

using the` opposing bite wax block as a guide so as to insure the cusps of the teeth being all arranged in the curve of spee. In a similar manner the teeth of the other set may be built up using the opposed set as a guide. j This fitting of the two sets of teeth together is in accordance with the usual practice up to this point. After the two sets of teeth have been thus mounted the two plate models `are removed from the articulator and placed in the patients mouth where they are tried for normal occlusion, appearance and gross or rough relationship, this being merely a check of the work done' so far on the set-up. In case a material error is found in the set-up it should be corrected at this time.

While the two plate models are in the patients mouth, the patient closes in five different positions on ve pieces ofsoftened thin sheet wax, the patient making one bite on each wax. These different positions are central, right lateral and left lateral; and with the lower jaw in protruded position, right lateral and left lateral. The right and left lateral occlusions are taken with the -lower jaw displaced laterally five or six mil- 45 limeters and the protruded positions are taken with the lower jaw protruded forward ly substantially one cuspal distance.

After these live separate impressions or bites have been taken, the plate models are replaced in the articulator, they being placed over the gum portions of the plaster casts projecting from the plaster beds.

The central bite wax register taken asabove described, is positioned between the two sets of teeth and the teeth oriented so as to determine whether the two sets are positioned in the articulator the same as they were in the mouth. If it is found that for vsome reason the two sets of teeth do not proparly register then their positions should be corrected at this time.

The annular clamping nuts 68 are loosened so as to cause the condyle path guides 66 to Vbe rotatably loose. The right lateral bite wax register is then placed between the teeth, and

the teeth oriented by means of this bite wax.

Then the left condyle path guide 66 is positioned angularly to cause the guide shim 8 to contact with the left condyle rod 42, whereupon the annular lclamping nut 68 of the left condyle path guide is tightened so as to clamp the guide in the adjusted position. Also,

while the mandibular denture is thus displaced the set screw 76 associated with the right condyle guide i's adjusted yto position' its end in contact with the ri ht condyle rod 42, and then it is given a half turn to retract it slightly from the rod. A The left lateral bite wax register is then placed between the teeth and the teeth oriented thereby, after which the right condyle path guide is set` in the same manner as the left guide was set, and the left set screw 76 is adjusted the same asl the right screw 76 was adjusted as above described. The angles of the two condyle path guides are then read leaves 102 are adjusted accordingly by. their scales 112, the angle of the left leaf being adjusted in accordance with the angle of the right condyle path guide, andthe angle of the right leaf being adjusted in accordance with the angle of the left condyle path guide.

Aet

by means of the scales 113, and the guiding While the foregoing adjustments are being made, the condyle rods 42 and their supporting sleeve 38 are yieldingly held from axial movement by the guide spring 86 and guide plates 80. Y

After the foregoing adjustments have been made, theprotrusive relationship setscrew 88 is adjusted. to 'carry the mandible support forward substantially one ouspal distance. This protruded positionof the mandible support corresponds to the protruded position of the mandible when the twolast-mentioned bite wax registers were taken inthe mouth of the patient. One of these bite waxes is then placed between the two sets of teeth and the mandibular denture moved laterally to the lateral position that the mandible in thev the mandibular denture in the machine and' also for accurately guiding such movement. This is accomplished in my improved machine by means of theguide plates 80 which,

as above described, are adjustable to vary the extent of the lateral bodily' movements of the mandibular denture.v When the twolsets of teeth in protruded lateral positionare brought together on'one of the bite' waxes, the corresponding guide plate 80 is adjusted unlos til it is found thatlthe two sets of teeth will' lproperly register on the bite wax in that' position, and then by' means of the set screw 82 that guide plate is'secured` in adjusted' position. In a similar manner the other bite wax register is placed between the two sets of teeth, and the corresponding guide plate 80 similarly adjusted.. It will 'be apparent that such adjustments of the guide plates 80 accurately determine the' extent of the bodily movementsof the mandible of the patient when the impressions were taken in the two bite waxes.y The U-shaped lea-f spring 86 which engages the guiding edges of the guide plates 80 provides for the necessary yielding movement of the mandibular dentureto correspond to the compressibility of the tissues in the Inaudible of the patient during said lateral movements. After theforegoing adjustments in protruded position have been made, the set screw 88 is retracted to permit themandible support to return to its normal position.

With the articulatorI thus set, manipulation of the mandible support by means of its handle l1 will give accurate functional repro-A ductive movements of the mandible of the patient. This manipulation consists merely in moving the mandible support sidewise in opposite directions. During such manipulation o`f the mandible support the plunger 94 will ride on the guide leaves 102, and the con' A dyle rods 42 will be guided b the condyle vments, and after one of the condyle rods 42 engages its associated set screw 76 the movement 1n the same direction may continue against the tension of the opposite spiral spring 46. The adjustment of the screws 76 to position-their ends a slight distance back of the condyle rods 42, permits limited re` trusive'movements of the rods against the tensionof the spiral springs 46, which corresponds to the retrusive movements of the human mandible permitted by the compressibility of the tissuesy in the condyles.

AIf during the described'mani ulation of the mandible support it is foun that there are any interfering points in the two sets of teeth, these should at this time be vground in so as to function properly.

'In case it has been found that the two sets of teeth properly function during the manipulation of the mandible support with the parts of the articulator adjusted in normal` position as above described, `then one of the guide shims 78 is removed and the mandible support 'again manipulated to determine whether or not with such 'adjustment there are' any interfering points in the two sets of teeth. If such interfering points are found these are ground in so as to properly function. After the two sets of teeth have thus been `caused to properly function with onev of the shims 78 removed, that plate is again applied to the condyle path guide andthe other shim 78is removed. The mandible support is then manipulated to determine whether or not with such adjustment there are an interfering points in the two sets of te'et should be ground oif. l

lThen the mandible support is manipulated'` which with both shims 78 removed to determine,

whether vor not with such adjustment theret are any interfering points in the two sets offy teeth.

The purpose of manipulating the mandible supportvwith irst one shim 78 and then the other removed and then with both removed,

is to translate in the machine the various movements of the human mandible caused by the compressibility of the tissues thatvsupport the dentures.

When the two sets have been found to properly function in the different positions of normal occlusion above noted, the set screw 88 is adjusted to protrude the mandibular denture, one cuspal distance as above de.

scribed. With such repositioning ofk Vthe mandible support in protruded position, the support is manipulated in the same manner as 41tV was lnanipulated during the normal positions to determine whether or not there:

are any interfering points in the two sets-of` teeth which should be ground off. Upon such' manipulation it will be found that the lower molars will not function properly with the upper molars. This is due to the fact that: the curve of spee differs in the lower jaw' from that in the upper jaw. In order to compensate for this it is necessary to reposition 4the' lower molars by depressing them. until they will function without interference when` the mandible is manipulated, the wax of the plate models being softened so as to permit this to be done.

After the foregoing operations have been performed, first one guide shim 78 and thenv the other is removed, and then both are re' moved, the mandible being manipulated after each of these adjustments to determineV whether there are any interfering points in the two sets of teeth that should be ground off. From the foregoing it will be apparent that the two sets of teeth have beenl oriented in the articulator inl accordance with the different positions that the teeth may assume in the mouth of the patient. When this has'been accomplished vulcanizedubber is substituted`r in the plate models, in the usual manner, and then the completed plates are placed in the mouth ofthe patient. Registers are taken by ,means of five new thin sheets ofsoftened wax l in the live different positions of the human jaw above referred to. The plates are then placed back -in the articulator and the two sets of teeth-re-oriented in the same way that they were oriented in the plate models as above described. lIn casein any of the various positions of the two sets of teeth it is found that there are any interfering pointsy these points of course should be ground olf.

A fter the foregoing operationshave been performed the plates are ready for the final finishing. To provide for thisoperation, a

frusto-conical member 138 of sheet rubber is placed over the lower flange of the mandible holder 4 and this is substantially filled with a suitable fluid grinding compound. A similar frusto-conicalsheet rubber member 140 is placed over'the flange of the maxillary holder 2,-with its lower end telescoping into the lower member 138. rlhe two'dentures are then brought together with the upper member140 telescoping into the lower member 138. 'The springs or rubber bands 90 are then attached to the upper and lower holders 8 and 10 so as tovyieldingly press the dentures together. The mandible support is then manipulated with the articulator in each of the various ad,

justments, above described, until the engaging surfaces ofthe two sets of teeth in each of said adjustments have been thoroughly milled and finished. The-sheet rubber members 138 and 140 serve'to retain the abrasive in and about the occlusal surfaces of the teeth during trituration so as to insure proper milling and also prevent spilling of the abrasive. The manipulation, of the mandible support during the final milling or finishing o eration may be either performed by hand or y power operated means; SuchA power operated means may be of anyA suitable construction and as shown in Fig. 5, consists of a horizontally reciprocating rod 142 having an upstanding forked end 144 which receives the -handle 11 of the mandible support 10, the handle 4having cushioning' members 146 of soft rubber on the sides thereof so as to permit the mandible to be operated without undue shock or 'ar. v

The provislon of the removable holding disks'120 for the plaster beds, permits the beds togetherwith the plaster casts and teeth models or bite wax blocks to be removed from fand 'replaced in the articulator without destroying the set-up, and thus when the set-up is removed permits the articulator to bel-used for other set-ups.

The shim disks 126 for the holders 2 andV 4 permit raising' or lowering of the models to ieither open o r close the bites slightly ,as may bedesi'red, yet keeping the models correctly 5 oriented.

leasily adjusted and controlled, and the manipulation of the mandible support during final milling may be performed either by hand or by power operated means. Also, the -construction is such that there are no parts interfering with clear vision all around the dentures.

In place of the spiral spring 46 for supporting each of the condyle rods, a disk 147 of soft rubber may be employed, or if. desired coiled springs 148 extending radially mayV be. em-

ployed, the disk and springs being mounted Q in any suitablemanner. In the articulator above .described the movements of the human mandible are translated by the mandible support, while in the articulators in general commercial use them, movements are translated by the maXillary support. It will be apparent, however, that it is much easier for the operator to make the necessary adjustments in an articulator in which the movements of the human mandible are translated to the mandible support, than it is to translate -the movements to the maxillary support as the latter requires the tedious mental process of reversing or inverting the readings of the positions and the movements ofthe human mandible in order to properly translate them to the maxillary support. -Some of the older practitioners, however, may possibly find it convenient to use a machine in which the movements of the human mandible are'translated to the maxillary support as. of course, they are more accustomed to that type of machine, and accordingly the articulator illustrated in Figs. 18,19 and 20 has been constructed so that the mandible support is held in fixed position, while the maxillary support is the moving element. 'As shown the mandible holder or support 150 is secured on the base of the machine and the maxillary holder152 is secured on a movable support 154, whichr is mounted to turn about the axis of condyle rods .156 corresponding to the condyle rods of the machine above described. These condyle rods 'are supported by spiral springs. 158 and arev guided by condyle path guide plates 160 mounted in axially adjustable bracket members 162. This machine also is providedwith set screws 164 for limiting the retrusive movements of the maxillaryA n support and also is provided with a protrusive relationship screw 166 and with guide plates 168 cooperating'with a guide spring 170 for controlling the lateral thrust or bodily movements of the maxillary support. The ISO vlll) forward `endfof the .maxillary support is supported by the vertically adjustable pinv 172,

the lower end vof which rides upon guide leaves 174' having their inner end adjustably While the articulator above described is particularly adapted for use in the construction of. ar'tiicial dentures, it may also be used as a diagnostic agent in functionallyderan'ged l natural dentures.

AsWill be evident to those skilled inthe Y art, my invention permits various modifica'- tions without departing from the spirit thereof or the scope of the appended claims.

WhatV I claim is:

. 1. An articulator having, in combination,

- a mandible holder, a maxillary holder, means mandible for retaining the maxillar holder in fixed horizontal position adapte to be released to permit said holder to be -swung upwardly, means or'supporting the mandible holder, said holder being adapted to be moved to move the mandibular denture about an axis corresponding to the condyle axis of the pa? tient and adapted to be bodily' moved later.

ally, and condyle path guides for guiding the mandible holder during said lateral movements. l

2'. An' articulator having, in combination, a maxillary holder, a mandible holder, means for supporting the rear portion of the mandible holder, said holder being adapted to be moved to move the mandible dentureaboutan axis corresponding to the condyle axis of the patient, and j adapted to be bodily moved laterallyy--condylepath guides for guiding the rear part of said mandibleholder during the lateral movements thereof, and yielding means for correspondingly guiding the fre partof said mandible holder during said lateral movements thereof.

3. An articulator having, in combination, a maxillary holder, for supporting the rear part of the mandible holder, said holder moved to move the mandible denture about an axis corresponding to the condyle axis of- 'thej atient, and adapted tobemovedlate'rally,

.con yle path guides lfor guiding the rear part 'of said mandible holder during the lateral movements thereof, and yielding means for correspondingly guiding the fore part of said mentsv thereof compnsing a downwardly spring pressed member, and two transversely,I

extending angularly ,adjustable guiding -lpaths o a mandible holder, meansbeing adapted' to be holder during saidlateralmove.

members upon which said member rides during the lateral movements of the mandible holder. 4

4:. An articulator having, in combination, a maxillary holder, a mandible holder, members on which one of said holders is mounted for movement about an axis corresponding to the condyle axis of the patient with relation to the curve of spee of the dentures supis mounted, said holder being adapted to move about an axis corresponding to the cond` le axis of the patient and to move laterally, ylelding devices supporting said means tending to maintain said axis 1n a definite position, said movable holder being adapted to be laterally moved pivotally and bodily, and condyle path guides for guiding the mandible holder during said lateral movements having rovision for adjustment to vary the said lateral movement.

6. An articulator having, in combination, a maxillary holder, a mandible holder, means. on which the rear part of one of said holders is mounted, said holder lbeing adapted to move about an 'axis corresponding to the condyle axis of the patient, yielding devices supporting said means to tend to maintain said axis in a definite position, said movable holder adapted to be moved to vary' the angular position of said axis in all directions, condyle path guides for guiding said movable'holder during the lateral movements thereof, and adjustable devices4 for limiting the retrusive lateral movements of said movable holder in either direction.

7 An articulator having, in combination, a maxillary holder, a mandible holder, a device on which one of said holders is mounted for movement about an axis corresponding toi'the'condyle axisof the patievntjvith rela-l tion to the dentures supported by said hld' er, the ends of said device being adapted'to be engaged by the condyle axis rods of the face'pbow, yielding means for supporting said device at po'nts. corresponding in relative positions tothe centers of the condyle heads of .the atient and tending to maintain said device ma denite position, said device being adapted to be yieldmgly moved laterally adjacent said points in all directions and said movable holder being adapted to be laterally moved bodily, and condyle path guides associated with said device for guiding the movable holder during said lateral movements having 1provision for adjustment vto vary the paths o said lateral movements. i

8. An -articulator having, in combination,

5 a maxillaryholder, a mandible holder, a device on which. one of said holders is mounted for movement about an axis corre onding tothe condyle axis of the patient with relation to the dentures supported by the mandible holder, the ends'of said device being adapted to be engaged b the condyle axis rods of the face bow,`yiel 'ng means for supportingsaid device .at points corresponding in relative. positions to the centers of the 5 condyle heads of the patient and tending to maintain said device in a definite position, said vdevice being adaptedl to be yieldingly moved laterally adjacent said points in all directions, condyle path guides associated 2 with said device for guiding the movable holder during said lateral movements, and adjustable abutments for limiting the retrusive movements ofsaid movable holder adjacent said points.-

9. An' articulator a maxillary holder, a mandible holder, a device onwhich one of said holders is mounted for movement about an axis Vcorresponding to the condyle axis of the atient with re- .'30 lation to the dentures held y said holders,

y yielding means for supporting said device at points corresponding to the centers of the condyle heads vof the patient and tendin to maintain said device in a 'definite position,

5 vmeans adapted to be adjusted to engage said device adjacent its center to move one of sa1d.

holders longitudinallywith relation to the other tocause lthe mandibular denture to be in protruded relation, and condyle path guides associated with said device for guiding the movable holder vduring lateral movement? thereof.

10. An 'articulatorhavingg in combination,

' `a maxi-Ilary holder, a mandible holder, a device onwhich one of said holders is mounted for movement about an axis corresponding to the-condyle axis of the' atient with relation to the dentures held h yielding means for-supporting said device at .points corresponding to the centers of the condyle, heads ofthe patient and tending to Maintain said device a denite positlon,

' cans" adapted to be adjusted for engaging said device adjacent its center'to move one of said holders vlongitudinally with relation to the other to cause the mandible denture to be in protruded relation, condyle ath guides associatedl with said device the movable holder during lateral movement c3 thereof, and; devices. for controlling the lateralbodily movements of the movable holder,

*while the mandible denture is thus protruded tocorrespond withsimilar movements olf the mandible of thepatient. i

tion, re ositionin the ivotall P g P having, in'combination,

ing one of the dentures laterally m'both dly said holders,

r guiding 'movement about an axis co 11, The method of constructingartificial one of the denturesmounted for -pivotal movement about an axiswith'relation thereto corresponding to the 'condyle axis of the 70 patient, orienting the dentures in this i mounted denture while maintaining-its axis in a detinite relation thereto to cause the mandible denture to assume a lon 'tudinally ypro`.- 75 truded position with relation to the other, denture, and orienting the dentures while in the latter position.

12. The method of constructing artificiali A dentures which comprises positioning the- 80 dentures in occluded relation with one of the'; dentures mounted 'for' pivotal "movement aboutan axis with-relation thereto corresponding to the condyle 'axis of the patient,\ orienting thedentures in this positlon, ree5 positioning the pivotally mounted denture while maintaining its axis in a definite relation thereto to cause the mandible denture to assume a longitudinally protruded positionwith relation to the other denture, mov- 9b' rections while maintaining the teeth in said protruded position',"and orienting the teeth in each of said positions.

13. The method of constructing artificial'o dentures, which comprises positioning the dentures in normal occluded relationwith the mandibular denture mounted for 27- otal movement about an axis correspon g tothe condyle axis of the patient, yieldingly 100 supporting the mandibular denture so as to tend to hold said axis'in a denite position. at points corresponding to the centers of the condyle heads of' the patient, said mandibu- Y lar denture at said ints being adapted to be movedunder stram in all directions trans'- versely of said axis, moving the mandibular denture from said normal occluded position into right and left lat-eral occluded positions while guiding it at said points so as to cause :said points to move in paths corresponding fora art bein .a apted to be yieldingly move v'ertica y, under strain, yieldingly pressing the mandibular denture bodlly against the other denture' during said movements, and'orienting said dentures in each of 12o said relative positions.

14. The methodof 'constructing dentures which comprises sitioning artificialv the 'dentures in normal occlude relation with one of the denturesv mounted for ivotal 125 rrespon g to the condyle axis-'of the patient, yieldingly" supporting said pivotally mounted denture soasto tend t'o hold'saidaxis in a deiinite. Y

ppsition at points oorres'pondinto the cen- 13o f ters of the condyle` heads of the patient, said points being adapted strain in al1-directions transversely of said axis, moving said pivotally mounted denturey movements, and orienting said dentures in each of said relative os'itions.-

15. The method o constructing artificial dentures which comprises ositioning the dentures in normal oc'cluded relation with the mandibular denture mounted for 'pivotal movement about an axis with lrelation thereto corresponding to the condyle axis of the patient, yieldingly supporting the mandibular denture so as to tend to hold said axis in a definite position at points corresponding to the centers of the condyle heads'of the patient, said points ybeing adapted to be moved under strain in all directions, moving the mandibular denture longitudinally so as to position it in protruded relationship to the maxillarydenture, moving the mandibu lar denture while maintaining it in protruded relation into central and right and left lateral occluded positions while guiding it at at said points solas to .cause said points to move in paths corresponding to the paths of movements of said condyle head centers,

guiding the mandibular denture at a point' .substantially midway between said points to control the lateral bodily movements of said4 mandibular denture-in accordance with the corresponding movements of the mandible of the patient, and orienting said dentures in each of said longitudinally protruded positions of the mandibular denture.

16. An articulator having, in combination, a maxillaryl holder, a Inaudible holder, means for supporting the rear portion of .the mandible holder to provide for movement thereof to move the mandible denture about an axis corresponding to the condyle axis of 'the patient, and to provide for lateral movements of the mandible holder, condyle path guides for guiding the rear part of said mandible holder during the lateral movements thereof, and means comprising a spring for supporting the fore-part of said mandible holder during said lateral movements thereof.

17. An articulator having, in combination, a maxillary holder, a mandible holder, means for supporting the'rear portion of the man dible holder to provide for movement thereof to move the mandible denture about an axis corresponding to the condyle axis of the patient, and to provide for lateral movement of the mandible holder, condyle path guides for guiding the rear part of said mandible holder during the lateral movements thereof, and

to be moved under yielding means for guiding the fore-A arto'f said mandible holder during said ateral movements thereof comprisin a downwardly spring pressed member, an suitable guid ing means upon which `said member ridesl during said lateral movements.

18. An articulator having, in combination, a niaxillary holder, a mandible holder, means on which the rear part of said mandible holder is mounted for movement thereof about an axis corresponding to the condyle axis of the patient, yielding devices supporting said means tending to maintain said axis in'a definite position, the mandible holder being adapted'to be moved to vary the angular position of said axis, condyle path guides for guiding the mandible holder during the lateral movements thereof, and adjustable de,-

vices vfor limiting the retrusive lateral move-E ments of the mandible holder in either die,

rections.

19. An articulator having, in combinationf`v` a maxillary holder, a mandible holder, a hinged connection for the mandible holder to provide for movement thereof about an axis corresponding to the condyle axisof the patient, condyle path guides for the endsvof said hinged connection, adjustable abutments for limiting the retrusive movements of the respective ends of the hinged connection, and a device for engagement with the rear lside of said hinged connection midway of said condyle path guides on which said hinged connection is adapted to be swung about a vertical axis, said device being adjustable to protrude said mandible holder with relation to the max'illary holder. V

20. An articulator having, in combination, a maxillary holder, a mandible holder, va hinged connection for the mandible holder to provide for movement thereof about an ico I axis corresponding to the condyle axis ofthe patient, condyle path guides for the 'ends of said hinged connection, adjustable abutments for limiting the retrusive movements of the respective vends of the hinged connection, a device for engagement with the rear side of said hinged connection midway of said condyle path guides on which said hinged connection is adapted to be swung about a vertical axis, andyielding means tending to retain the ends of said hinged connection in engagement with said abutments.

21. An articulator having, in combination,

' a maxillary holder, a mandible holder, a

hinged connection for one of said holders to provide for movement thereof about an axis corresponding to the condyle axis of the pa-v tient, condyle path guides for the ends of said hinged connection,`adjustable abutments for limiting the movement of the respective ends of the hinged connection in a direction to cause the mandible holder to be protruded with relation to the maxillary holder, and a device for engagement with the hinged connection midway of said condyle path guides on. which said hinged connectionis a a ted to be swung about a vertical axis, sai device being adapted to be adjusted to cause I said mandible holder to be ,protruded with relation to the maxillary holder. In testimony whereof, l have si ed my name to-this specification this Srcnday of May, 1927. EDWARD D. RALPH. 

